3 Batsmen who can come in the Indian team in place of Ambati Rayudu for the World Cup

India won the third ODI against Australia by 7 wickets while chasing a target of 230 runs. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav starred in the chase as an unbeaten 121-run stand between the duo, for the fourth wicket, steered India home with 4 balls to spare.

With this win, India clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 and won their first ever bilateral ODI series in Australia.

Ambati Rayudu, who failed in the first two ODIs, had to sit out in Melbourne. The number 4 conundrum, which had been a matter of talk since the England tour, seemed to be solved with Ambati Rayudu fitting into that place.

However, poor outings in the first two ODI has once again brought the problem to the fore. Rayudu scored a two-ball duck in the first ODI and could only muster 24 off 36 in the second ODI. Due to this, Rayudu was replaced by Jadhav in the final ODI.

With the squad submission deadline for the World Cup approaching near, India needs to sort out their squad very soon.

Here, we will have a look at some promising cricketers who, if given a chance, can make an impact on number 4.

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#1 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal

The lad from Karnataka had a dream debut for India, in Tests, in the recently concluded India tour of Australia. He solved the opening conundrum as he scored 195 runs in 3 innings at an average of 65. He also registered two Test fifties to his name.

Mayank got into the team on the back of some great performances in the domestic circuit. He topped the batting charts in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy where he plundered over 1100 runs at an astounding average of 105.45 in 13 innings.

While, he has had an underwhelming IPL season so far, with an average of just 16.75 in 59 innings, he is scoring well elsewhere. He has an average of 50.58 in first-class cricket while he averages 48.71 in List A matches.

He also has a triple century to his name in first-class cricket. With 12 centuries in List A cricket, the right-hander knows how to build an innings and to play a big knock. He might be the solution that India is desperately looking for.

List A: Matches: 75, Runs: 3605, Avg: 48.71, S/R: 100.72, H.S: 176

First-Class: Matches: 48, Runs: 3794, Avg: 50.58, H.S: 304

#2 Shreyas Iyer

Iyer made his ODI debut in 2017

The 24-year-old is currently the captain of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL. In 46 IPL innings, Iyer has made 1218 runs at a healthy average of 30.45.

2015-16 Ranji season and Vijay Hazare Trophy was very impressive for the Mumbai batsman as he scored 1321 runs at an average of 73.39, which included seven fifties and four hundreds.

The lad from Mumbai made his ODI debut in 2017 against Sri Lanka. In his short ODI career, the right-hander has scored 210 runs at an average of 42 in 5 matches with a strike-rate of 96.33.

Iyer is a versatile player and he can be a good option at number four.

ODIs: Matches- 6, Runs- 210, Average- 42, Highest Score- 88

T20 International: Matches-6, Runs-83, Average- 16.6, Highest Score- 30

IPL: Matches- 46, Runs- 1218, Average- 30.45, Highest Score- 96

#3 Shubman Gill

Gill was the Man of the Series in the 2018 U-19 World Cup

Coming in the Indian team as a replacement of KL Rahul for the New Zealand tour, young Shubman Gill can solve the middle order muddle for India.

Last year, Shubman, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, made 303 runs at an average of 33.83.

In the ongoing Ranji season, Gill has made 790 runs in 10 innings at an average of 98.75.

In 9 First-Class matches, Gill has made 1089 runs at an average of 77.78.

He may lack experience in International Cricket but he can prove his worth if he is given enough opportunities. Gill was the Man of the Tournament in the 2018 U-19 World Cup and is waiting for opportunities to prove himself at the international level.

Gill is a good striker of the ball and he can rotate the strike well. He may be a good option at number four.

First Class: Match-9, Runs-1089, Average- 77.78, Best Score- 268

IPL: Match-13, Run- 203, Average- 33.83, Best Score- 57